Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. File photo
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile said he was saddened and sorry for his nemesis, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who had suffered a “mild stroke” Wednesday.
“Ako nalulungkot sa nangyari sa kanya. Wala akong magagawa dahil hindi na nga ako umiimik e para tumigil sya pero hindi naman sya tumitigil,” Enrile said in a phone patch interview with Senate reporters on Thursday.
(I’m saddened by what happened to her. There’s nothing I can do because I kept silent hoping she would stop but she went on.)
“Ako naman ayokong makipag-debate sa kanya dahil natatakot ako sa utak n’ya (I don’t want to debate with her because I’m worried about her state of mind) so I’m sorry that she has to suffer that kind of pressure. I will pray for her recovery,” he said.
Enrile also called on the media not to use them just to get a good quote or sound bite for their stories.
“Kung pwede lang, huwag nyo kaming hihingan ng mga gusto n’yong termino para gagawin na laruan sa Senado. Ayoko noon. Ayoko. Huwag n’yong strain na yung imahe ng Senado. Please lang,” he said.
(Please stop asking us things to suit your end and make fun of the Senate. I don’t like it. Don’t destroy the image of the Senate.)
But Enrile maintained he was willing to answer in court all questions being raised against him over the P2.2 million additional maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) that he gave to 18 senators last year.
Only Santiago and three others—Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, senators Pia Cayetano, and Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV – did not get the full amount except for the P600,000 each that they received in November 2012.
“Ginawa ko yung ginawa ko. Kung meron silang gustong isampa na kaso e isampa na nila para matapos.O kung gusto naman nila na ako ay tanggalin, tanggalin na nila ako. Ok lang yun,” Enrile added.
(I did what I have to do. If they want to file a case against me then go ahead and file it so there will be closure. Or if they want my ouster, they can remove me. That’s OK,)